It's time Indian Super League introduced VAR into its system

There has to be a consistent rise, otherwise, because reaching a plateauing out six years later doesn't help anyone. To attain such a level of competency, we need to scan several details that sum up to the end-product - refereeing in our country is one such aspect and its substandard quality has opened our eyes wide open in the ongoing season. Owen Coyle experienced a Fabio Capello moment when Alex Lima’s strike crossed the line after it struck the crossbar - only to see the legitimate goal disallowed by the referee.

It cost them a point too say the least but it also tampered with their confidence to such an extent that it's an error that will weigh on their minds untill the last game of the season. FC Goa manager Juan Ferrando lamented the same, with viewers from Spain awestruck after the team was denied more than a few obvious penalties during the early stages. Other coaches beating the same drum include Chennaiyin FC’s Csaba Laszlo and SC East Bengal boss Robbie Fowler.

It’s true that Owen Coyle’s side had to bear the brunt of most of the incorrect calls this season, or else the team could have easily ended the year in a better league position than they are at the moment. SC East Bengal’s miserable debut could have been more bearable had decisions gone their way, while Chennaiyin FC was all but set to invade into sniffing distance of the top-four. What’s done cannot be undone. As you might have already guessed, ISL does not have the privilege to avail goal-line technology. But we need to look forward, make arrangements to avoid such situations - and the organisers have taken the first step. 

As a primary inference, a time has been allotted following the end of each match-day, where managers can discuss certain issues regarding the game and clarify if there is any issue from either end. The initiative is undoubtedly a unique one but it's efficiency can be gauged only after it has been executed. As a stop-gap solution, it's an apt solution giving both parties a chance to express themselves and defend their actions but the league needs more than that.

An astronomical sum of money is already being pumped into the system, then why not reach deep into the pockets for aspects that will have a direct impact on the game. It is true that the organisers cannot introduce VAR overnight, but they should have it as their target, take strides and start changing things slowly but steadily. Because we know for a fact, that there’s no future without VAR.